50th Commemoration of MLK’s Freedom Walk in Detroit

On June 22, 2013, thousands were asked to “Take a Step” in the 50th anniversary march in honor of the original Walk to Freedom/Freedom Walk led in Detroit by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I was able to be one of the thousands, with the Rainbow PUSH Youth League… [Yay Road trip!] Martin Luther King III, Detroit Mayor Dave Bing and the Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton participated in Saturday’s march and rally.

IT was a day that was of great importance to experience the walk and also the rally after. One common theme was the road is not yet over. The fight is not yet won and all that Dr King fought wanted in this walk is not yet over.

Detroit is still in state of need of reconstruction. There is much progress needed.

“If you don’t take the march to Lansing, if you don’t take the march to D.C., if you don’t take the march to your own neighborhood – then marching don’t mean nothing,” said President of the Detroit branch of the NAACP, Reverend Wendell Anthony.

But Why Detroit?

On that day 50 years ago, in what is considered to be the original debut of his now-famous “I Have a Dream Speech,” King told tens of thousands of people that it was time for the government and society to get serious about providing opportunities and parity in employment, education, housing and the overall quality of life for persons of color.

It was great to be apart of something like this and to be able to discuss it with people my age after. It was also a learning experience to be able to organize this trip (of course with help) and to see that our generation can mobilize and is ready to lead.

Rev. Jesse Jackson speaks during a rally in Hart Plaza which followed the Freedom Walk down Woodward Avenue to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic march 50 years ago, Saturday, June 22, 2013.